Redman to lead Red Devils

It’s official.

Bob Redman is the 21st head football coach at Jeffersonville High School following a 5-2 Greater Clark County Schools board vote at Tuesday night’s special meeting.

However, the 61-year-old’s teaching position remains up in the air.

Board President Ernie Gilbert, one of the dissenting votes, said the reason he voted the way he did was to be fiscally responsible. He said Redman is certified to teach high school biology, health and physical education. Marty Bell, chief operating officer, said he hoped Redman would be placed in a position that suited him at JHS due to attrition.

However, Gilbert isn’t so sure that a spot in Redman’s area will be available.

"It’s economics. We’re in a position where we don’t know where we are financially. We’re trying to balance the budget. We have no plans of hiring new staff," Gilbert said, adding that there is no guarantee a spot will be open.

Nick Wiese, president of the teachers’ association, expressed similar issues. He said during the contract bargaining process Greater Clark officials told him that teachers may have to be laid off to make up for cuts coming down from the state level.

"It might work out," Wiese said of a position opening up for Redman. "When you’re talking about $3 million less dollars next year, I’m not sure how that’s going to work. They are going to have to show me."

Redman’s teaching position was not voted on at the meeting. Bell said he plans on that to be voted on later on this year. He said Redman will be paid $9,318.49 a year for his coaching position, similar to what former coach Steve Cooley made. As for what he would make as a teacher, Bell said Redman would follow the teachers’ salary schedule. He said he wasn’t sure the exact amount, but said Redman does have a master’s degree and 20 to 30 years of experience, which would put him higher on the salary schedule.

Wiese said at that cost, two newer teachers could have been hired.

Becka Christensen, the other board member voting no, said she believes Redman would do a good job, but had to vote no due to what her constituents have asked her to do.

Steve Morris, JHS principal, explained the process to hire Redman just prior to the vote. He said a committee of himself, Athletic Director Jeff Griffith, Assistant Superintendent Travis Haire and James Hickerson, a former JHS football player, helped narrow the field after interviewing four candidates.

"It was clear that Coach Redman brought the best credentials," Morris said, adding that Redman led his teams to three state championships and more. "We were unanimous in our decision to hire Coach Redman."

Bell said Redman recently left his part-time teaching and full-time coaching positions at Male High School. He said Redman retired from teaching full-time 9 years ago, but said that the coach is looking forward to teaching full-time again.

Bell said Redman brings something to students on and off the field.

"He works will with the more challenged kids that we haven’t held on to that well at the high school level and I think he’ll hold on to them better," Bell said. "He builds up a lot of confidence and he motivates kids to succeed."

Senior football player Toba Omotinugbon said he’ll support what the board decided.

"I loved playing for Coach Cooley. He was like a second father to me," the 17-year-old said. "But I respect the school board’s decision."

Also at the board meeting, the board approved the school calendar for the 2010-2011 school year. Students will start school on Aug. 19. Spring break is from March 21-25. The last student day is set for May 31. Other off days include Oct. 18 for fall break, Nov. 24-26 for Thanksgiving and Dec. 20-31 for winter break.

BOB REDMAN FILE

• AGE: 61

• COACHING EXPERIENCE: 35 years at four Louisville high schools — Durrett, Waggener, Ballard, Male

• OVERALL RECORD: 317-115-1

• KENTUCKY STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: Three (1993, Class 4A; 1998, 4A; 2000, 4A)

• KENTUCKY STATE RUNNERS-UP: Three (1984, 4A; 2001, 4A; 2002, 4A)

• MALE ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 190-49 record in 18-year tenure; never had a losing season coaching the Bulldogs; during his tenure, the fewest amount of wins in a season was seven; 12 seasons of 10 victories or more; all three state championships came at Male and his two runner-up finishes at Male were in 2001 and 2002

• OTHER TIDBITS: Father of former University of Louisville and current Atlanta Falcons’ quarterback Chris Redman; his first state runner-up finish was at Ballard in 1984; played college football at Louisville

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GCCS Board voted 5-2 to bring Bob Redman on as Jeffersonville High School’s 21st head football coach

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